Wielsch and Butler were ordered held without bond by federal magistrates after being taken into custody earlier in the day by the Federal Bureau of Investiation.

“This indictment alleges a pattern of lawlessness that not only violated the trust of the people of Contra Costa County, but also brings dishonor to all the fine men and women in law enforcement who work hard, do the right thing, and risk their lives every day protecting our communities,” U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said.

The indictment alleged the following abuses of Wielsch’s position, in which Butler, a former police officer and currently a private investigator based in Concord, was also accused of participating and assisting:

• Wielsch stole from county evidence facilities sufficiently large quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana that had been seized in CNET operations. Wielsch and Butler sold some of the stolen narcotics and intended to sell the remainder.

• Wielsch and Butler participated together in a phony “sting” operation in which they falsely detained a person under the guise of a legitimate law enforcement operation, conducted warrantless searches, and kept narcotics that were taken from the person during the “sting.”

• Butler opened a massage parlor in Pleasant Hill in which prostitution took place. He required the women working in the parlor to make weekly payments, which he shared with Wielsch, in exchange for Wielsch’s agreement to provide protection from law enforcement.